November 30, 2009

Today was my first ride on my original Big Block since taking it apart to framesaver it. On the way in to work I noticed the chain was popping. I intended to inspect it, but I forgot about it during the bustle of the work day.

On my way home it continued to act up but rather than stopping and checking it out I continued to ride. I figured my chain was just really tight (which it was) and I would fix it at home. Turns out that was a big mistake as it broke on me on my way downhill. Luckily for me I was riding double brake fixed and the chain wrapped safely around the cog and axle.

Last week I made a Friday post with photos from a 3 Inches of Blood show. The show was awesome, I had never heard 3 Inches of Blood before (I am no metal afficianado by any stretch) and they delivered the fucking goods. So this is my post to encourage all of you to go see them or buy their records, or download them or whatever. If you like Maidenesque metal about orcs and swords and such and you'll love them.

Last week I posted a teaser for pics of my friend Craig's Capital gravel road bike, but was waiting for Craig to fill me in on all the details before posting full photos. I'm tired of waiting, so here without further ado is Craig's Capital which was tailor made for the gravel road riding he does in Vilas County Wisconsin every summer.

Rando, Rivendell, and tweed nerds be jizzin'

Nitto brazed stem, simply one of the classiest production parts ever

Nitto rear rack, Brooks, French (forget which brand) metal fenders

Paul New Racers

gorgeous integrated cable hanger coming off the binder

Shimano Dynamo front hub, hooked up to a Schmidt front light

custom brazed fender strut to accomodate headlight and generator cord

handlebar bag with metal patches

I believe the word you're searching for is bagoo(bagoo is the sound nerds make when jizzin, to say it properly you need to sink your head into your neck, get red faced and blurt it out)

November 29, 2009

was forced down an alley on my way to Vinnie's this afternoon (avoiding cops who might have seen me cut a red) and popped out onto the side of The Alt, a bike and skate shop in Uptown Minneapolis. It was overcast so I took the opportunity to take some snaps of their wall

I've been using this super burly Stein Cog Tool for a while now in place of a chain whipIt only works for sizes 16,17,18, and 19 tooth cogs, but luckily those are the only sizes I currently ride. You place the tool put on the cog, place the silver piece over the axle, put on the axle nut loosely (to allow for room to back off the cog) and crank away with no worries about tool slippage. You can generate a shit load of force with this thing which also means you can use it for installs without worrying as much about the cog moving forward and having to re tighten your lockring

I had them over the fire a few weeks back and they blew my fucking mind. I am currently in the process of trying to convince some friends to go bike camping this weekend just so I can have a chance to cook the rest properly